Know Your Enemy: Iowa State Cyclones

Sooners Looking To Prove That Baylor Was Just A Fluke Against Iowa State

WHO: Iowa State (2-2)

WHEN: Saturday, October 7th @ 11:00 AM CT

WHERE: Norman, Oklahoma

HOW TO WATCH: FOX

SCOUTING Iowa State: Last Thursday’s matchup against Texas left a lot to be desired for Iowa State. The Cyclones never looked overwhelmed, but costly errors never gave them a chance to win the game. Head Coach Matt Campbell is in year two of the rebuilding process in Ames. His team has looked vastly improved from their 3-9 season a year ago through these first four games. However, it’s going to take a much better showing than last Thursday against the Longhorns for Iowa State to win in Norman on Saturday.

It looks like starting quarterback Jacob Park did not make the trip to Oklahoma with Iowa State, and that means former starting quarterback, and now MIKE linebacker, Joel Lanning will be the starter. Park is the definition of a “gun-slinger” quarterback. He was able to make the tough throws but struggled to be consistent on the routine passes. Lanning, on the other hand, is more of a pro-style quarterback. The senior is not able to throw the football near as well as Park, but he can put together slow, methodical drives with his run game. It will be interesting to see if any other young quarterbacks get snaps if Park is unavailable. Campbell is also blessed to have talented skill players around the quarterback with Allen Lazard and David Montgomery. Lazard is the kind of receiver that will play on Sunday’s, and Montgomery looks to be on the same path at running back. The two compliment Iowa State’s offense well.

Just like the offense, the Cyclones’ defense looks to be improved. Joel Lanning has set the tone at MIKE linebacker, leading the defense in tackles early in the season after making the switch from quarterback. Lincoln Riley pointed out Campbell’s secondary being talented on Monday, and holding Texas to under 200 yards of passing last Thursday points directly to that. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a monster effort for them to be able to slow down Oklahoma. The Sooners pose one major issue that Iowa State does not have an answer for: The Trenches. Bill Bedenbaugh’s group should have no issues up front and will keep Baker Mayfield and the running backs clean. Iowa State will need to find a way to get pressure if they stand a chance to slow down the Oklahoma offense.

Some would say this is a trap game for Oklahoma. The week before the trip down to the Texas State Fair always has potential to be a let-down. That would be the case if the Sooners hadn’t already slipped up against Baylor. If Baker Mayfield and Co. played the way they did against Baylor while playing anyone else on their schedule, they would probably not go to a bowl game. The wake-up call has already come and that is why Oklahoma and their fans should not be worried about the Cyclones.